New Moon for Gaia

Would you like to join in a common effort on behalf of the environment? On Sunday April 3^rd, you'll have the option to sign on to be a part of our New Moon for Gaia effort, which goes from the new moon on April 3rd to the new moon on May 3rd. We hope at least 30 people from our congregation will commit to doing one new action for 30 days. You can pick one action that you are not already doing and do that for 30 days, or you can pick different actions for different parts of the month. Some of these action ideas are from the national UU Ministry for Earth. Some of from our own Green Earth group at church.

First of all, on April 3^rd: Bring food for the food pantry, in a cloth bag, to our service!

Then sign up to be part of the New Moon for Gaia, and pick an action that you are not already doing:

1. “Got your bags?” A2U2, through the Green Earth Committee, is working with the National Resources Council of Maine on their “Got Your Bags?” initiative to replace plastic bags with reusable cloth bags. Join the effort by using cloth bags when you shop during the next 30 days.
2. For 30 days, be vigilant in recycling everything you can, particularly plastic. “Right now, millions of pounds of trash are floating in the Pacific Ocean to form an ‘island’ at least twice the size of Texas – 90 percent of that trash is discarded plastic.” – from the film Flow. Pick up (at A2U2) a copy of the article from Consumer Reports on “How to Get Rid of Practically Everything”—or find it at http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2011/02/14/consumer-reports-reveals-spring-cleaning-tips-on-how-to-get-rid-of-practically-anything/
3. Bottle your own water! Say “yes” to tap water and “no” to disposable bottled water for 30 days (or forever). If you’re not sure about your tap water, have it tested some time during the 30 days and install a filter if needed or use a pitcher with a filter for your drinking water. Watch the eight-minute video The Story of Bottled Water to learn why (http://storyofstuff.org/bottledwater/).
4. Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush for 30 days.
5. If you eat fish, use a sustainable seafood guide to make your choices for 30 days: find a guide here: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/sfw_recommendations.aspx?c=ln
6. Use local and/or organic foods for at least part of every dinner for the next 30 days. Pick up a copy of Green America to learn more about it, or check it out on line. http://www.greenamerica.org/pubs/greenamerican/articles/SeptOct2010/organicorlocal.cfm
7. When you buy Easter candy, use sustainably grown, fair trade chocolate. Find out more at http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/fairtrade/whatyoucando/2010Scorecard.cfm.
8. Plan a garden to start growing some part of your food. If you don't have space, start a potted lettuce plant. If you already have a garden, plant a row to share with the food pantry.
9. Join our Green Earth Committee, or our Ethical Eating Committee to get more involved. You can find out more on our website http://www.a2u2.org/green-earth-maine.aspx, or contact the chairs, Harold McWilliams (GEC) or Julie Harrison (EEC). Come to the Green Earth meeting on April 10^th.
10. OR, Pick your own action for the earth!

Small changes when done together can create larger changes. We are joining with UU's across the country during this time to create a better relationship with the Earth. Maybe we can even get 60 people to sign up!

Rev. Myke